IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,191,470
Granted Patent B2
US 12,191,470 · App. 18/388,369 · Granted Jan 7, 2025

Battery utilizing printable lithium

Inventors: Marina Yakovleva (Gastonia, NC); Kenneth Brian Fitch (Cherryville, NC); Jian Xia (Belmont, NC); William Arthur Greeter, Jr. (Dallas, NC)
Assignee: Livent USA Corp.
H01M4/0404H01M4/366H01M4/382H01M4/622H01M4/628H01M10/052H01M10/0585
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,191,470
App. No.
18/388,369
Granted
Jan 7, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A battery comprising a lithium metal anode; a solid electrolyte; a cathode; and at least one interface layer between a surface of the cathode and a surface of the solid electrolyte, the interface layer formed of a printable lithium composition comprised of lithium metal powder, a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder, a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powder, and a solvent compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder, wherein the interface layer improves the uniformity of the surface of the solid electrolyte thereby optimizing contact between the surface of the cathode and the surface of the solid electrolyte for better battery performance.

Claims (12)

1. A battery comprising:

a lithium metal anode;

a solid electrolyte;

a cathode; and

at least one interface layer between a surface of the cathode and a surface of the solid electrolyte, the interface layer formed of a printable lithium composition comprised of lithium metal powder, a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder, a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powder, and a solvent compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder,

wherein the interface layer improves the uniformity of the surface of the solid electrolyte thereby optimizing contact between the surface of the cathode and the surface of the solid electrolyte for better battery performance.

2. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium metal anode or cathode is formed from the printable lithium composition of the at least one interface layer.

3. The battery of claim 2 , wherein the printable lithium composition forming the at least one interface layer, lithium metal anode or cathode comprises between about 5% to about 50% by weight of the lithium metal powder, between about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the polymer binder, between about 0.1% to about 30% by weight of the rheology modifier, and between about 50% to about 95% by weight of the solvent.

4. The battery of claim 3 , wherein the interface layer is applied to the lithium metal anode or cathode by deposition.

5. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the cathode is a composite cathode.

6. The battery of claim 5 , wherein the composite cathode comprises sulfur.

7. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the interface layer comprises a foil or film formed from the printable lithium composition of the at least one interface layer.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2025
From: RIO TINTO FINANCE PLC
To: LIVENT USA CORP.; ARCADIUM LITHIUM INTERMEDIATE IRL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 071886/0172 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT - REEL/FRAME 066191/0949 Recorded Mar 6, 2025
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: LIVENT USA CORP.
Reel/Frame 070433/0896 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2025
From: LIVENT USA CORP.; ARCADIUM LITHIUM INTERMEDIATE IRL LIMITED
To: RIO TINTO FINANCE PLC
Reel/Frame 070061/0312 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 4, 2024
From: LIVENT USA CORP.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE
Reel/Frame 066191/0949 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 17586128 · Jan 27, 2022
Continuation 16573587 · Sep 17, 2019
Continuation In Part 16359733 · Mar 20, 2019
Provisional Application 62874269 · Jul 15, 2019
Provisional Application 62864739 · Jun 21, 2019
Provisional Application 62691819 · Jun 29, 2018
Provisional Application 62646521 · Mar 22, 2018
Related Publication 20240136494A1 · Apr 25, 2024
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